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Wages in the Netherlands are rising! Here’s why

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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Wages in the Netherlands are rising! Here’s why

It seems like everything is constantly rising in the Netherlands. Rent, house prices, gas — you name it. However, wages are now rising too!

In fact, they’re making a big jump. 🎉

Last month, there was an average wage increase of 2.4% for collective labour agreements. That’s the highest level since the onset of coronavirus, reports NU.nl.

Important discussions back on track

At the onset of the pandemic, discussions about collective labour agreements in the Netherlands virtually came to a standstill. After slowly starting up again, September marked the month where the number of collective labour agreements made between employers and unions finally went back to normal.

READ MORE | About time: staff shortage leads to higher wages in Dutch hospitality sector

The Dutch employers’ organisation AWVN told NU.nl that they expect wages to increase further in future agreements — zin er in! 😍

Why now?

The recent jump in wages is caused by a number of factors. According to AWVN, “the fading of the coronavirus pandemic, rising inflation, and the increasing tightness in parts of the labour market” all push employers to offer higher wages.

What do you think of the developments in wages in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

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Making a comeback: Dutch OMT predicts worse coronavirus season than expected

Jen Lorimer 🇿🇼
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Making a comeback: Dutch OMT predicts worse coronavirus season than expected

The Outbreak Management Team (OMT) has predicted that the coronavirus situation in the Netherlands during autumn and winter will be worse than previously expected, and have advised against further relaxations.

Clubs are open and the “1.5-metre distance” is gone, and Miss Rona clearly saw that as an invitation to make her presence fully known once again — are we really surprised? That’s right, since the new package of relaxations came into effect on September 25, the coronavirus numbers have gone up, up, up. ☝️ 👀

In light of these disturbing figures, the OMT has projected that the coronavirus situation in the Netherlands during the upcoming cooler months will be worse than they initially expected, RTL Nieuws reports. Does this mean we’ll need to dust off those board games again?

Projected ICU cases

There are currently 138 people with coronavirus in the intensive care units. The OMT predicts that if there are no further relaxations and the situation remains as it is now, 400 people may end up in intensive care. However, if the number of contacts increases by 20%, up to 800 people may end up in the ICU. 😷

New advice from the OMT: no further relaxations, and changes to the coronavirus ticket

To combat this spike in infections, the OMT has advised that there be no further relaxations. They have also advised against the use of the serological test for coronavirus admission tickets, as this test only shows antibodies in the blood (if you’ve had the ‘rona) but not active infections.

Back to 75% capacity?

Alongside this advice, the OMT has also recommended that coronavirus recovery certificates should be extended so that they are valid for a year, rather than the current six months.

The OMT has also recommended bringing back that 75% capacity rule in venues where visitors don’t have fixed seating, such as bars and clubs.

What are your thoughts on the current coronavirus situation and this new advice from the OMT? Tell us in the comments below!

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Totally oh-gay: the Netherlands can have a king or queen in a same-sex marriage

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Totally oh-gay: the Netherlands can have a king or queen in a same-sex marriage

Passing with flying colours, Mark Rutte answers the question: if Princess Amalia wanted to marry a woman, she doesn’t have to give up the throne.

In response to a letter sent last month by the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) on whether a Dutch heir should give up the throne if they want to marry a same-sex partner — the outgoing minister Mark Rutte sure delivered. 🏳‍🌈

The Dutch prime minister has responded as expected given the Netherlands’ stance on gay-marriage, finally slamming the 2000 governmental stance on the subject to a wall. 🔨.

Seen as a bridge to be crossed at the time reached, Rutte didn’t want to further comment on the question of succession to the throne by children who may arise from a same-sex marriage.

In line with the time

Both the VVD and the Labour Party (PvdA) agreed that this 2000 governmental position needed an amendment hence leading to the parliamentary questions on this subject.

“What Rutte is now writing about an heir to the throne who wants to marry someone of the same sex, fits in with the zeitgeist. The monarchy is also subject to changing social developments,” says Political commentator Frits Wester.

While Princess Amelia herself didn’t discuss her sexuality so far, these questions were raised by the VVD in response to the ‘Amalia, Duty Calls’ book written by constitutional lawyer Peter Rehwinkel. So this new stance is only based on hypotheticals, no actual royal tea. ☕

What do you think of this latest Dutch royal development? Let us know in the comments below!

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€2000 per month! Dutch auction site allows hopeful renters to bid against each other

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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€2000 per month! Dutch auction site allows hopeful renters to bid against each other

If there was one small comfort to be had from never being able to own a home in the Netherlands, it was that at least you never had to worry about being caught up in a ruthless bidding process.

Well, we may have to bid adieu to that comfort.

The Dutch auction site, Redbid.nl, now allows hopeful renters to bid against each other, Het Parool reports. The result? As you can imagine, much higher rental prices. 💶

How, what, why?

The way the site works is simple. A rental property is listed, and users can bid on top of the monthly rent in increments of €25. And that’s exactly what people are doing.

Het Parool found properties of 63m2 going for as high as €1,600 per month, or €2,750 for 148m2. A spokesperson for the Dutch housing association, Woonbond, tells the paper that the site “shows that the madness in the market right now is very big.”

READ MORE |Enough is enough: thousands of protestors in Amsterdam march against the housing crisis

So far, the site appears to rent out properties based in Amsterdam — a city that already suffers from ridiculously high rents. 🤦

A more transparent process

The creator of the site, Daniel Raadschelders, tells Het Parool that he “wanted to create a transparent platform.” This way, potential renters have more control over the rental process, he says.

Indeed, that seems to be the selling point of the site, with the welcoming message of “Determine the rent for your new home yourself” greeting you on the homepage.

Watch the prices rise

However, other experts in the Amsterdam rental field would argue that the only thing that this process will determine for you, is that your monthly rent will be even higher. 😬

READ MORE | Renting in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

Speaking to Het Parool, Jerry Wijnen, chairman of the Amsterdam Real Estate Agency says that the process of auctioning off rental properties will make “living out of reach for some” and that “if we turn the rental market into an auction, it will become even more expensive.”

Nee, dankjewel. ✋

How have you been affected by the housing crisis in the Netherlands? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

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Fourth richest in the world: Dutchies are becoming wealthier

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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Fourth richest in the world: Dutchies are becoming wealthier

Almost making the podium but not quite, the Netherlands comes in as the fourth richest country in the world, according to a recent study by the German insurer Allianz, called the Global Wealth Report.

The ranking is based on the average assets and debts of households in 57 different countries.

With Dutch households having about €129,000 in net wealth (on average), the Netherlands lies well above the world average of €36,000 per capita. Only the US, Switzerland, and Denmark are richer.

Why is the net wealth in the Netherlands increasing?

We’ll give you a hint: it’s a common stereotype about the Dutch and likely has to do with the country’s Calvinist history. 💡 Ding ding ding! Yup, the Dutch have risen in the annual Allianz ranking because they are saving more money!

READ MORE | 14 downright stingy things Dutch people do

Okay, while increased savings are part of it, it’s not the whole story. Firstly, the relatively large increase in savings is likely caused by the lack of things to do during the lockdowns of the past year and a half.

Secondly, well-performing pension funds and rising stock prices have also influenced the net wealth of Dutch households. 📈

Inequality in the Netherlands

This doesn’t count for everyone of course. Another trend revealed in the study is that inequality is on the rise when it comes to the net wealth of Dutch households.

The researchers point to higher levels of indebtedness amongst the less wealthy parts of the population as the main cause for this relatively large difference between Dutch households.

What do you think of the study’s findings? Tell us in the comments below!

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Weekly update: be safe, Dutch coronavirus infections have risen significantly

Jen Lorimer 🇿🇼
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Weekly update: be safe, Dutch coronavirus infections have risen significantly

The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures from October 5 to October 12. The number of hospitalisations and ICU admissions have increased, while deaths have remained stable compared to the previous week.

Over the past week, the RIVM has reported 17,832 new infections in the Netherlands. This is a steep increase compared to last week’s report of 12,016 infections.

The percentage of positive tests also increased noticeably to 10.3% compared to 8.1% the week before.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from coronavirus-related complications has decreased in the past week. This week, 24 people passed away, compared to 29 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

The number of admissions to the nursing ward remained stable this week. However, admissions to the ICU showed a significant increase. The past week saw 210 new admissions to the nursing ward and 71 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 214 and 46, respectively.

Booster shots are being offered to Dutchies with immune disorders

In the past week, Dutchies who have a serious immune disorder have started receiving their invitations for a third coronavirus shot, a.k.a. a booster shot. 💉 The process of booking a jab is the same as it was for the first two.

For the time being, the Health Council doesn’t consider it necessary for the rest of the population to receive a booster shot. However, this could change if it turns out that protection against Covid-19 offered by the vaccine declines significantly over time.

No longer a high-risk country: the Netherlands has turned orange on the coronavirus map

Every Thursday, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) publishes a coronavirus map with the number of positive tests per 100,000 people in different European countries.

As of this past Thursday, October 7, the Netherlands has taken a step in the right direction, changing from red to orange (our favourite colour) — meaning we’re not considered a high-risk country anymore! 🥳

However, in light of these renewed high numbers, we cannot be certain how long the Netherlands will remain orange on the coronavirus risk stratification.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news and coronavirus updates.

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These are some of the best Facebook Groups for internationals in major Dutch cities

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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These are some of the best Facebook Groups for internationals in major Dutch cities

From apartments to pet adoption, almost anything can be found through Dutch Facebook groups — especially if you’re a wandering international on the hunt.

Think of them as virtual study groups, but cooler and non-graded.🤓 Some Dutch Facebook groups are solely dedicated to internationals in major cities throughout the Netherlands to discuss the latest news, ask general questions or for recommendations, stay informed about closeby events, or even meet for a cuppa joe!

Aside from our very own and totally awesome DutchReview group, we’ve gathered some of the crème de la cream of Dutch Facebook groups for expats in major Dutch cities. 👇 Just beware of falling for scams, because those are everywhere, unfortunately.

Facebook groups for internationals in Amsterdam

The thriving capital of the Netherlands attracts thousands of expats each and every year — so there’s tons of international activity and countless Facebook groups focused on various topics. 🌍 Prepare to wander the canal belt or check out the Rijksmuseum with the people you meet from groups such as:

The Amsterdam Expats Meetup Group

Over 30,000 members, daily posts, and The Amsterdam Expats Meetup Group is the place for all of your questions to be answered.

Amsterdam

The group Amsterdam comes in with 39,000 members and public access to posts about events and a list of recommended, more specialized Amsterdam centred groups.

Facebook groups for internationals in Leiden

The atmospheric university city of Leiden offers much more than meets the eye. 🔎 From museums to a buzzing social life scene — and with expats ranging from uni students to Leiden city residents, Facebook groups can get you covered no matter who you are as long as it involves Leiden. We suggest:

Leiden Expats

With over 12,000 members, Leiden Expats is a 2007 Leiden based group that offers informational posts in English with almost 300 posts on monthly basis.

Leiden | Girl Gone International

With additional groups for Amsterdam and The Hague, Leiden’s Girl Gone International (GGI) is a friendship oriented community with a local and global focus.

Facebook groups for internationals in Utrecht

The fourth-largest Dutch city has tons to offer for its native and expat residents. Fancy an event by the Dom Tower? Then you might want to check out these groups for the latest and greatest: 💪

Expats Utrecht

Curated for the international community in Utrecht, with 33,000 members+ Expats Utrecht promises it all: services, housing opportunities, local ads, and a platform to ask and answer questions.

Expats in Utrecht

Another group that’s Utrecht focused is Expats in Utrecht, a public page with interactive members and daily posts.

Facebook groups for internationals in Rotterdam

There are many unique Rotterdam qualities, one trait involves how international this city is, housing 174 nationalities. With such diversity, internationals are bound to gather and connect in groups, especially virtually: 🏙

Expats in Rotterdam

No commercial posts in this 2016 growing Facebook group, Expats in Rotterdam offers a welcoming space dedicated to questions, ideas, and news about Rotterdam city.

Rotterdam — International Friends

Got a Rotterdam question or looking for a recommendation? Even housing offers are on the table in Rotterdam — International Friends group with 7000+ welcoming members.

Facebook groups for internationals in The Hague (Den Haag)

The heart of embassies and home to many international agencies in the Netherlands, The Hague is not only buzzing with expats and students but also has heaps of international visitors hopping in from all over the world. A dedicated Facebook group sure is a quick and direct stop for anyone with a curiosity or a question related to Den Haag:

Expats in the Hague

With a large members’ base of 44,000 — Expats in the Hague is a public 2007 group created by internationals with 15+ daily posts by its members.

The Hague Agenda (For Internationals)

Looking for a nice sporting, music, or dance event to head to in Den Haag? The Hague Agenda (For Internationals) is the group to check out.

Other groups

We only covered city-based groups so far, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t still have some wonderful communities up our sleeve. 🐇🎩

Offering support and assistance for expats within the Netherlands, the Netherlands network group incorporates posts from anywhere and anything Nederland. As for our expat ladies out there, you might want to check out Female Expats and Dutchies in the Netherlands (FEN) — a women-only group that promises a wealth of knowledge to women in the Netherlands.

Did we miss any of your favourite expat Facebook groups? Make sure to let us know in the comments below!

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Born between 2001 and 2004? Next year you could be travelling through Europe — for free!

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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2
Born between 2001 and 2004? Next year you could be travelling through Europe — for free!

As part of the European Union’s ‘DiscoverEU‘ initiative, young EU citizens are given the opportunity to travel through Europe by train — gratis!

The initiative encourages young people to broaden their horizons and “take advantage of the freedom of movement throughout the European Union.” It hopes for them to develop a greater sense of independence, confidence, and appreciation for other cultures.

Ready, set, go! Applications for the free travel pass begin today at 12 PM and are open for the next two weeks. ⏱

I want to travel for free! Can I apply?

Usually, the DiscoverEU initiative is specifically for 18-year-olds to discover Europe — but since we’ve had essentially two years ripped out of the calendar due to coronavirus — those who were eligible in 2020 and 2019 are given the chance to apply now instead.

🇬🇧 Nationality exception: Under the terms of the United Kingdom’s Withdrawal Agreement from the European Union, UK citizens are able to participate in this round of the DiscoverEU due to the past rounds being cancelled.

To qualify you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be born between 1 July 2001 (included) and 31 December 2003 (included);
  • Have the nationality of one of the Member States of the European Union at the time of the award decision;
  • Complete the correct ID or passport number on the online application form.

In addition, you’ll need to fill out a quiz about the EU. 🤓

Travelling alone or with friends

If you receive the free travel pass, you have to travel for a minimum of one day and can stay abroad for up to 30 days between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023. 

If that sounds like a long time to travel alone, you can invite friends who also meet the conditions and make it a group journey!

More train passes than ever

RTL Nieuws reports that the commission vice-chair, Margaritis Schinas, has complimented young people on the sacrifices they’ve made during lockdowns and the solidarity they’ve shown to others. She said that “that’s why I’m so happy that we can offer more rail passes than ever.”

Moreover, 2022 is the European Year of Youth, meaning there are even more initiatives to come!

What do you think of the initiative? Will you be applying for the DiscoverEU travel pass? Tell us in the comments below!

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Murderers of Dutch lawyer, Derk Wiersum, sentenced to 30 years in prison

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Murderers of Dutch lawyer, Derk Wiersum, sentenced to 30 years in prison

This morning, The Court of Amsterdam sentenced two men to 30 years imprisonment for the murder of Derk Wiersum, the lawyer of a crown witness in a large scale case against the Moroccan-Dutch Mafia.

The verdict comes two years after the assassination of Wiersum in front of his Amsterdam house. The sentence given is lower than the requirement of the Public Prosecution Service, which demanded life imprisonment, reports NOS.

The convicted men are Gërmo B. and Moren B., childhood friends from Almere and Rotterdam, respectively. On September 18, 2019, the men shot Wiersum six times, killing him and driving away.

The two men have extensive criminal records, with a history of violent crimes and illegal possession of weapons. However, according to the judge, they had no history of murder or manslaughter, thus forgoing the life sentence.

Premeditated murder

The court found the men guilty of committing premeditated murder. The suspects maintained their innocence throughout the whole trial. They also tried to give an alibi for the time of the murder, but the court didn’t buy it.

“They committed the murder together,” said the judge during the verdict.

Who ordered the murder?

It is still unclear to investigators who ordered the murder. However, the main suspect is Ridouan Taghi, the alleged head of the Dutch-Moroccan Mafia. This is due to the fact that Derk Wiersum was the lawyer of a crown witness in the Marengo case against Taghi’s criminal organisation.

In addition, both the crown witness’ brother and confidant, Peter R. de Vries (the famous Dutch crime journalist) were also murdered.

Taghi is currently behind bars as the prime suspect in the Marengo trial.

Evidence

The evidence used to convict the pair included the fact that their DNA was found in stolen cars used in the preparation of the murder and the murder itself.

The court determined Morena was the shooter, and Gërmo was the getaway driver. However, both men were found equally responsible for the murder.

They also had prepaid phones, which were used heavily before the murder. However, after the crime, the phones immediately became inactive.

A third suspect

A third suspect was also arrested in this case, Taghi’s cousin Anouar T. It is believed that he provided the stolen cars used in the murder. His trial will start at a later date.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates in the Netherlands.

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The residents have spoken: NYE fireworks are officially banned in Amsterdam

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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The residents have spoken: NYE fireworks are officially banned in Amsterdam

If you were hoping to bid goodbye to this year with a bang and a pop, it’s best not to be in Amsterdam for New Year’s Eve. Amsterdam city council has decided to ban consumer fireworks in the city for New Year’s celebrations.

The city’s party won’t stop though! We’re still bidding 2021 farewell with a bang as the municipality will swoop in with an alternative by organising professional fireworks shows in a number of places throughout the city. 🎆

And we all know a professional fireworks exhibit is far better than your brother’s drunken friend’s attempt.

How, what why?

After many questions surrounding the future of fireworks in the Netherlands, a recent sparkling amendment to the fireworks regulations through the General Local Regulation (APV) has been made. ✍

This means that Amsterdam’s municipality will move forward with banning fireworks in the city for New Year’s Eve where, according to RTL Nieuws, the majority of the city’s residents stood in favour of a ban due to the inconvenience attached to the NYE’s flares.

Flare enough

The decision and its amendments didn’t blow anyone away since the topic of a total fireworks ban versus a partial ban in major Dutch cities like Rotterdam or Amsterdam have been a topic of debate for the past year.

With many things that can go sideways when it comes to fireworks, Amsterdam’s municipality is “looking for a good balance between sufficient supply and manageability” according to reporting. 🧯

While the situation of fireworks in the Netherlands was previously affected by the coronavirus pandemic, similarly, all municipality plans for this year’s firework shows are subject to the health measures which apply during New Year’s Eve. 

As for solo fireworks enthusiasts, the municipality also announced that it is possible to purchase fireworks at the outlets set up for the purpose. 🎉

What do you think of the latest measures concerning the fireworks ban in Amsterdam? Let us know in the comments below!

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